Megan Oka - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Megan Oka

Research paper thumbnail of Attachment and Relational Aggression: Power as a Mediating Variable

The American Journal of Family Therapy, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Insecure Attachment Behavior and Partner Violence: Incormporating Couple Perceptions of Insecure Attachment and Relational Aggression

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2014

Intimate partner violence and insecure attachment are therapeutically relevant concepts when work... more Intimate partner violence and insecure attachment are therapeutically relevant concepts when working with couples. The link between attachment and intimate partner violence has been examined in the literature, but an area of aggression that often goes unexamined is relational aggression, or using third parties as a means of being aggressive toward a partner. We asked how participants' attachment behaviors were related to their own and partners' relational and physical aggression. We used structural equation modeling to estimate actor-partner interdependence among these relationships in 644 heterosexual couples. Results indicated significant partner paths from attachment to relational aggression, as well as significant actor paths between relational aggression and physical aggression. Implications were discussed. Data for this study were collected from the RELATE assessment.

Research paper thumbnail of Observational Research of Negative Communication and Self-Reported Relationship Satisfaction

The American Journal of Family Therapy, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Negative Communication and Couple Conflict: A Process Research Study

Research paper thumbnail of Insecure attachment behavior and partner violence: incorporating couple perceptions of insecure attachment and relational aggression

Journal of marital and family therapy, 2014

Intimate partner violence and insecure attachment are therapeutically relevant concepts when work... more Intimate partner violence and insecure attachment are therapeutically relevant concepts when working with couples. The link between attachment and intimate partner violence has been examined in the literature, but an area of aggression that often goes unexamined is relational aggression, or using third parties as a means of being aggressive toward a partner. We asked how participants' attachment behaviors were related to their own and partners' relational and physical aggression. We used structural equation modeling to estimate actor-partner interdependence among these relationships in 644 heterosexual couples. Results indicated significant partner paths from attachment to relational aggression, as well as significant actor paths between relational aggression and physical aggression. Implications were discussed. Data for this study were collected from the RELATE assessment.

Research paper thumbnail of Safety Assessment of Future Events Scale

Research paper thumbnail of Appraisal Distortions And Intimate Partner Violence: Gender, Power, And Interaction

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2012

In relationships characterized by control, abuse, or violence, many appraisal distortions occur i... more In relationships characterized by control, abuse, or violence, many appraisal distortions occur including denial and minimization. However, the nature of the distortion varies depending on the individual's role in the relationship (i.e., abuser or victim). Reducing these distortions is an important component in treatment success and involves accepting responsibility for actions and attributions. This study used constructivist grounded theory methods to explore the following questions: (1) What are the types of distortions that are used by individuals who have been in violent or abusive relationships? (2) What are the gender and power differences in the appraisal distortions used? (3) What are the functions and interactions of the distortions in the relationship dynamics? Qualitative analysis of interviews with 29 individuals who had been in abusive relationships found that there were several types of distortions used by participants, but there were differences in the function of the distortion, depending on the individual's role in the abuse. These generally corresponded to power and gender, where the male as perpetrator used different distortions (or used similar distortions for different reasons) than did the female as victim. Suggestions for research as well as treatment implications for both offenders and survivors of abuse are given.

Research paper thumbnail of The Self Assessment of Future Events Scale (SAFE): Assessing Perceptions of Risk for Future Violence in Intimate Partner Relationships

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2013

The purpose of this study was to develop a survey measure, appropriate for use in clinical or res... more The purpose of this study was to develop a survey measure, appropriate for use in clinical or research settings, to assess respondent's perceptions that their partner will engage in future physical violence, verbal ⁄ psychological violence, or controlling behaviors. Data were collected from adults in intimate relationships. Exploratory factor analysis was used to refine the measure and confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence for the fit of the final version of the measure. Scores on the measure indicated less safety for participants in distressed relationships and for participants meeting the study criteria for PTSD. Scores on the measure also indicated significantly decreased safety for participants that reported being the victims of physical violence and participants reporting both victimization and perpetration in their current intimate relationships.

Research paper thumbnail of Bridging the Clinician/Researcher Gap with Systemic Research: The Case for Process Research, Dyadic, and Sequential Analysis

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2013

In Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), as in many clinical disciplines, concern surfaces about the... more In Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), as in many clinical disciplines, concern surfaces about the clinician/researcher gap. This gap includes a lack of accessible, practical research for clinicians. MFT clinical research often borrows from the medical tradition of randomized control trials, which typically use linear methods, or follow procedures distanced from "realworld" therapy. We review traditional research methods and their use in MFT and propose increased use of methods that are more systemic in nature and more applicable to MFTs: process research, dyadic data analysis, and sequential analysis. We will review current research employing these methods, as well as suggestions and directions for further research.

Research paper thumbnail of Intergenerational Transmission of Violence: the Influence of Self-Appraisals, Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse

Journal of Family Violence, 2009

Although research has demonstrated connections between experiencing abuse as a child and being in... more Although research has demonstrated connections between experiencing abuse as a child and being in a violent relationship as an adult, the specific mechanisms through which this transmission occurs are unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between certain personal factors (self-appraisals and mental/substance use disorders) and experiencing violence as an adult. Data from the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) 1990-1992 were utilized. Respondents who reported experiencing childhood abuse or victimization and were in a current intimate partnership (N=590) were selected for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that low self-esteem, past year PTSD, and past year alcohol dependence were significantly associated with intimate partner violence after controlling for other self-appraisals and mental disorders.

Research paper thumbnail of Safety in Intimate Partnerships: The Role of Appraisals and Threat

Journal of Family Violence, 2012

For most intimate partners, safety is an important goal and basic need. How a partner perceives s... more For most intimate partners, safety is an important goal and basic need. How a partner perceives safety has an impact on what happens in the relationship, and this will in turn affect the responses from the other partner. Lack of safety can provoke negative emotions and actions which can lead to relationship deterioration and violence. However, little is known about this process from the insider's perspective. In this study, constructivist grounded theory methods were used to analyze interviews from individuals (n037) to better understand individual appraisals of relational safety. The results include a theory that illustrates the process of relational safety and threat. This model articulates how certain relational conditions precede a perception of safety or threat, which then leads to corresponding actions. Implications of the model include a focus on interaction and context when assessing for safety and abuse, as well as the importance of self regulation.

Research paper thumbnail of Contemporary MFT Theories and Intimate Partner Violence: A Review of Systemic Treatments

Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Gender differences in marital satisfaction: A meta-analysis

Research paper thumbnail of Examining Attachment Avoidance and Attachment Anxiety Across Eight Sessions of Couple Therapy

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2015

This study examined initial levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance, as well as their patterns... more This study examined initial levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance, as well as their patterns of change across eight sessions of couple therapy. Participants were 461 couples in a treatment-as-usual setting. Dyadic latent growth modeling was used to determine whether couples started therapy at similar levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance and whether attachment anxiety and avoidance changed. An actor partner interdependence model was used to see whether partner attachment anxiety was related to avoidance. Results showed relative stability of attachment anxiety and avoidance over the course of therapy, with the only change being a slight decline in attachment anxiety among women. Results showed that a person's attachment anxiety was not related to their partner's avoidance and vice versa.

Research paper thumbnail of Attachment and Relational Aggression: Power as a Mediating Variable

The American Journal of Family Therapy, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Insecure Attachment Behavior and Partner Violence: Incormporating Couple Perceptions of Insecure Attachment and Relational Aggression

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2014

Intimate partner violence and insecure attachment are therapeutically relevant concepts when work... more Intimate partner violence and insecure attachment are therapeutically relevant concepts when working with couples. The link between attachment and intimate partner violence has been examined in the literature, but an area of aggression that often goes unexamined is relational aggression, or using third parties as a means of being aggressive toward a partner. We asked how participants' attachment behaviors were related to their own and partners' relational and physical aggression. We used structural equation modeling to estimate actor-partner interdependence among these relationships in 644 heterosexual couples. Results indicated significant partner paths from attachment to relational aggression, as well as significant actor paths between relational aggression and physical aggression. Implications were discussed. Data for this study were collected from the RELATE assessment.

Research paper thumbnail of Observational Research of Negative Communication and Self-Reported Relationship Satisfaction

The American Journal of Family Therapy, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Negative Communication and Couple Conflict: A Process Research Study

Research paper thumbnail of Insecure attachment behavior and partner violence: incorporating couple perceptions of insecure attachment and relational aggression

Journal of marital and family therapy, 2014

Intimate partner violence and insecure attachment are therapeutically relevant concepts when work... more Intimate partner violence and insecure attachment are therapeutically relevant concepts when working with couples. The link between attachment and intimate partner violence has been examined in the literature, but an area of aggression that often goes unexamined is relational aggression, or using third parties as a means of being aggressive toward a partner. We asked how participants' attachment behaviors were related to their own and partners' relational and physical aggression. We used structural equation modeling to estimate actor-partner interdependence among these relationships in 644 heterosexual couples. Results indicated significant partner paths from attachment to relational aggression, as well as significant actor paths between relational aggression and physical aggression. Implications were discussed. Data for this study were collected from the RELATE assessment.

Research paper thumbnail of Safety Assessment of Future Events Scale

Research paper thumbnail of Appraisal Distortions And Intimate Partner Violence: Gender, Power, And Interaction

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2012

In relationships characterized by control, abuse, or violence, many appraisal distortions occur i... more In relationships characterized by control, abuse, or violence, many appraisal distortions occur including denial and minimization. However, the nature of the distortion varies depending on the individual's role in the relationship (i.e., abuser or victim). Reducing these distortions is an important component in treatment success and involves accepting responsibility for actions and attributions. This study used constructivist grounded theory methods to explore the following questions: (1) What are the types of distortions that are used by individuals who have been in violent or abusive relationships? (2) What are the gender and power differences in the appraisal distortions used? (3) What are the functions and interactions of the distortions in the relationship dynamics? Qualitative analysis of interviews with 29 individuals who had been in abusive relationships found that there were several types of distortions used by participants, but there were differences in the function of the distortion, depending on the individual's role in the abuse. These generally corresponded to power and gender, where the male as perpetrator used different distortions (or used similar distortions for different reasons) than did the female as victim. Suggestions for research as well as treatment implications for both offenders and survivors of abuse are given.

Research paper thumbnail of The Self Assessment of Future Events Scale (SAFE): Assessing Perceptions of Risk for Future Violence in Intimate Partner Relationships

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2013

The purpose of this study was to develop a survey measure, appropriate for use in clinical or res... more The purpose of this study was to develop a survey measure, appropriate for use in clinical or research settings, to assess respondent's perceptions that their partner will engage in future physical violence, verbal ⁄ psychological violence, or controlling behaviors. Data were collected from adults in intimate relationships. Exploratory factor analysis was used to refine the measure and confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence for the fit of the final version of the measure. Scores on the measure indicated less safety for participants in distressed relationships and for participants meeting the study criteria for PTSD. Scores on the measure also indicated significantly decreased safety for participants that reported being the victims of physical violence and participants reporting both victimization and perpetration in their current intimate relationships.

Research paper thumbnail of Bridging the Clinician/Researcher Gap with Systemic Research: The Case for Process Research, Dyadic, and Sequential Analysis

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2013

In Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), as in many clinical disciplines, concern surfaces about the... more In Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), as in many clinical disciplines, concern surfaces about the clinician/researcher gap. This gap includes a lack of accessible, practical research for clinicians. MFT clinical research often borrows from the medical tradition of randomized control trials, which typically use linear methods, or follow procedures distanced from "realworld" therapy. We review traditional research methods and their use in MFT and propose increased use of methods that are more systemic in nature and more applicable to MFTs: process research, dyadic data analysis, and sequential analysis. We will review current research employing these methods, as well as suggestions and directions for further research.

Research paper thumbnail of Intergenerational Transmission of Violence: the Influence of Self-Appraisals, Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse

Journal of Family Violence, 2009

Although research has demonstrated connections between experiencing abuse as a child and being in... more Although research has demonstrated connections between experiencing abuse as a child and being in a violent relationship as an adult, the specific mechanisms through which this transmission occurs are unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between certain personal factors (self-appraisals and mental/substance use disorders) and experiencing violence as an adult. Data from the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) 1990-1992 were utilized. Respondents who reported experiencing childhood abuse or victimization and were in a current intimate partnership (N=590) were selected for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that low self-esteem, past year PTSD, and past year alcohol dependence were significantly associated with intimate partner violence after controlling for other self-appraisals and mental disorders.

Research paper thumbnail of Safety in Intimate Partnerships: The Role of Appraisals and Threat

Journal of Family Violence, 2012

For most intimate partners, safety is an important goal and basic need. How a partner perceives s... more For most intimate partners, safety is an important goal and basic need. How a partner perceives safety has an impact on what happens in the relationship, and this will in turn affect the responses from the other partner. Lack of safety can provoke negative emotions and actions which can lead to relationship deterioration and violence. However, little is known about this process from the insider's perspective. In this study, constructivist grounded theory methods were used to analyze interviews from individuals (n037) to better understand individual appraisals of relational safety. The results include a theory that illustrates the process of relational safety and threat. This model articulates how certain relational conditions precede a perception of safety or threat, which then leads to corresponding actions. Implications of the model include a focus on interaction and context when assessing for safety and abuse, as well as the importance of self regulation.

Research paper thumbnail of Contemporary MFT Theories and Intimate Partner Violence: A Review of Systemic Treatments

Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Gender differences in marital satisfaction: A meta-analysis

Research paper thumbnail of Examining Attachment Avoidance and Attachment Anxiety Across Eight Sessions of Couple Therapy

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2015

This study examined initial levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance, as well as their patterns... more This study examined initial levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance, as well as their patterns of change across eight sessions of couple therapy. Participants were 461 couples in a treatment-as-usual setting. Dyadic latent growth modeling was used to determine whether couples started therapy at similar levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance and whether attachment anxiety and avoidance changed. An actor partner interdependence model was used to see whether partner attachment anxiety was related to avoidance. Results showed relative stability of attachment anxiety and avoidance over the course of therapy, with the only change being a slight decline in attachment anxiety among women. Results showed that a person's attachment anxiety was not related to their partner's avoidance and vice versa.